Liquid applicator



June 22, 1954 GORDON 2,681,463

LIQUID APPLICATOR Filed March 14, 1951 V 10 I 2 l/ E I 25 DAVID MAYQI Q Patented June 22, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to new and useful im provements in combined bottle caps and liquid applicators.

One object of the invention is the provision of an inexpensively manufactured bottle cap and liquid applicator that is somewhat flexible and thus is not easily broken.

Another object of the invention is the provision in such a device of simple and effective means for increasing the amount of liquid that adheres thereto.

Still another object of the invention is the provision in such a device of a liquid reservoir employa'ble at will.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a simplified form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of another form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of applicator tip.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged end view of the applicator tip of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an applicator tip having a liquid retaining reservoir therein.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but of the opposite side of said tip.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view on line lfi--idofFig.9.

Fig. 11 is a sectional View on line I l-H of Fig. 10.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, wherein a simplified form of the invention is illustrated, the reference numeral ill indicates a frusto-conical bottle stopper having a slender tapering rod ll projecting from the narrower end thereof. Preferably the rod and the stopper are formed integrally of a plastic material that is sufficiently flexible to allow of a slight compression of the stopper and some bending of the rod.

The construction is such that the stopper I 6 may be wedged in the neck of a bottle to seal the latter and said rod may be used as an applicator for liquid contained within the bottle.

Referring to Fig. 3 wherein like parts are given the same reference numerals as above with a prime added, the stopper iii may be provided at its wider end with an annular flange 2 for engaging the lip of a bottle neck. Further, the tip of rod l l is provided with a knob l3 adapted to increase the amount of liquid that adheres to said tip and is thus available for application. Preferably the diameter of the knob 13 does not exceed that of the thicker end of rod l i, it being financially desirous to mold the device with a suitably tapered rod which is later necked down to form the knob IS.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated a plastic material of the type indicated above.

In order to increase the amount of liquid carryable by the rod l 5 the tip thereof is provided with a diametral groove I 6 in which a quantity of said liquid lodges.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 wherein an arrangement for increasing the liquid carrying capacity of any of the described applicator rods is illustrated, the reference numeral i7 indicates a tapering applicator rod having a flattened knob H8 at its narrow end. As mentioned above, knob l8 preferably is of a lesser diameter than the thicker end of rod H. In the flattened face of knob i8 there is provided a plurality of parallel shallow grooves 211 in each of which a small quantity of the liquid to be applied lodges. Thus the liquid carrying capacity of the rod is substantially increased.

Referring to Figs. 8-11 there is illustrated a tapering applicator rod 2| having at the end thereof a knob 22 which is split diametrally to form a narrow channel 23 that widens quickly as it approaches the end of the knob to form. oppositely disposed cam faces 2t by which the channel can be spread open. At its other end channel 23 opens into a cavity 25 which in form is a diametral bore having either end substam tially stoppered by a flap 26 which is formed by continuing the channel forming slit beyond the end of the channel in a circular path as indicated at 2'1. Preferably the slits 2'! curve in opposite directions so that the anchored portions of the flaps 26 are substantially diametrally opposed.

The construction is such that the slits 21 are sufficiently open to allow a quantity of liquid to enter cavity 25 through channel 23 when the applicator is immersed in said liquid. Further, the liquid entering said cavity is held therein by the flaps 26 and the narrowness of channel 23 until the latter is spread open by forcing the cam faces 24 against the surface on which it is desired to deposit the liquid.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein dis-closed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A combined bottle stopper and liquid applicator which comprises a bottle sealing member having a tapering applicator rod projecting from one end thereof, said sealing member and rod being formed integrally of a plastic material that ,is sufficiently flexible to permit some bending oi 'oppositely disposed cam faces by which the channel can be spread open, a diametral bore in the rod being located at the inner end of the channel, said bore vhaving its ends partially stoppered by wall-like flaps formed by continuing the channel forming slit in a circular path.

2. A combined bottle stopper and liquid applicator which comprises a frusto-conical stopper having a tapering applicator rod projecting from the narrower end thereof, said stopper and said rod being formed integrally of a plastic 1naterial that is sufiiciently flexible to permit some bending of the applicator rod, and said rod having at its tapered end a knob split diametrally to form a narrow channel which at its outer end widens sharply to form oppositely disposed cam faces by which the channel can be spread open, a diametral bore in the rod being located at the inner end of the channel, said bore having its ends partially stoppered by wall-like flaps formed by continuing the channel forming slit in a circular path.

3. A combined bottle stopper and liquid applicator which comprises a bottle sealing member having a tapering applicator rod projecting from one end thereof, said sealing member and rod being formed integrally of a plastic material that is sufficiently flexible to permit some bending of the rod, and said rod having at its tapered end a knob split diametrally to form a narrow channel which at its outer end widens sharply to form oppositely disposed cam'fa'ces by which the channel can be spread open, a diametral bore in the rial that is sufficiently flexible to permit some bending of the applicator rod, and said rod having at its tapered end a knob split diametrally to form a narrow channel which 'at its outer end widens sharply to form oppositely disposedlcam faces by which the "channel can be spread open, a dia-metral bore in the rod being located at the inner endof the channel, said bore having its ends partially stoppered by welllike flaps formed by continuing the channel forming slit in a circular path, said flaps and the narrowness of the channel serving to retain in said bore a quantity of liquid which is released by spreading the channel.

fie'ferenccs Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 442,743 Bennetts et ah Dec. 1 6, 1890 576,150 Rathbun Feb. 2, "1397 1,712,667 Hart e May 14, 1929 2,210,766 McGinnis etal. Aug. 6, 1940 2,245,906 Deakers et al. June 17, 1941 

